Chinese feng shui coins are some of the most popular and well-known tools for bringing wealth, success, and protection into your life. These coins are copies of old Chinese money that people use as powerful symbols to attract positive money energy, called Qi, into their lives. Their main job is to help bring abundance and block negative influences.
This guide will give you everything you need to know. We'll go beyond basic explanations to share the history, meaning, and step-by-step instructions you need. You'll learn not just what these coins are, but how to pick, clean, activate, and place them the right way to see real results in your home, office, and personal life.
The Story Behind the Symbol
To use feng shui coins well, you need to understand the deep meaning built into their design. These aren't just pretty decorations; they represent a powerful idea about the universe that has been developed over hundreds of years. Their power comes from their specific history and unique physical features, which together create a strong symbol of balanced success.
Parts of a Coin
Each part of a feng shui coin has a specific meaning, showing the peaceful union of Heaven and Earth.
- The Round Shape: The coin's circular shape represents Heaven (Tian). This shows the endless, flowing energy of the universe and divine support.
- The Square Hole: The square opening in the center represents the energy of the Earth (Di). It anchors the heavenly energy, grounding it in the physical world of your home or office.
- The Yang Side: This is the side with four Chinese characters. These characters usually show the name of the dynasty and the emperor who ruled when the coin was made. The Yang side, representing active and protective energy, should always face outward or upward.
- The Yin Side: This side usually has two Manchu characters or may be blank. It represents a more receptive energy and should face inward or downward.
Emperors of Success
The most powerful and popular feng shui coins are copies from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), a time in Chinese history known for its power, influence, and great wealth. The energy of this golden age is believed to be captured in the coins' design.
For feng shui purposes, coins from the first five emperors of the Qing Dynasty are considered especially lucky. This set is known as the "Five Emperors" coins and includes copies from the reigns of:
- Shunzhi (1644-1661)
- Kangxi (1661-1722)
- Yongzheng (1723-1735)
- Qianlong (1736-1796)
- Jiaqing (1796-1820)
These five reigns represent an unbroken period of about 180 years of strength, stability, and economic growth. Tying a set of five coins together represents attracting this continuous and powerful wave of success and good fortune from all five directions.
The Power of Numbers
In feng shui, numbers are never random. The number of coins you use directly relates to the specific type of luck you want to attract. Choosing the right number is an important step in customizing this cure to your personal goals. While you can use a single coin, tying them together in lucky sets with a red ribbon makes their power much stronger.
Understanding Lucky Numbers
- A Single Coin: Represents the union of heaven and earth. It's often used as a personal charm to improve one's own energy. It can be carried in a pocket or placed inside a "wealth vase."
- Two Coins: Usually used for business. Tying two coins together on business-related items, like order books or phones used for sales, is thought to encourage trade. They also represent partnership.
- Three Coins: This is one of the most popular combinations. The number three represents the trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. A string of three coins is a powerful magnet for wealth and is commonly placed in wallets, purses, and checkbooks.
- Five Coins: Represents the gathering of wealth and protection from the five successful Qing Dynasty emperors mentioned earlier. This set is excellent for blocking negative energy and attracting balanced success from all directions.
- Six Coins: The number six is associated with heavenly luck and celestial support. It is particularly effective for activating the #6 star in annual Flying Star feng shui, which brings authority and windfall luck.
- Eight Coins: In Chinese culture, the number eight is the most lucky number for wealth, as its pronunciation ("Ba") sounds similar to the word for wealth or prosper ("Fa"). A string of eight coins is a powerful amplifier for abundance.
- Nine Coins: Nine is the number of completion and represents the fullness of the universe—the unity of heaven and earth. It represents longevity and eternal good fortune. A set of nine coins is often used for long-term, generational wealth.
- Ten Coins: This set represents the "Ten Great Emperors" of the Qing Dynasty, representing ultimate authority, leadership, and complete success. It is an excellent enhancer for those in positions of power or seeking career advancement.
The Red Ribbon and Knot
You will almost always find feng shui coins tied together with a red ribbon or string. This is not just for decoration. Red is the ultimate color of protection, vitality, and life force (Yang energy) in Chinese culture. Using a red ribbon activates the coins' potential and fills them with positive energy.
Often, these ribbons are tied in a Mystic Knot, also known as the endless knot. This complex knot, with no beginning or end, is a traditional Buddhist symbol of a long and happy life, uninterrupted by setbacks, and filled with good fortune. When combined with the coins, it means endless wealth and success.
Strategic Goal-Oriented Placement
Knowing where to place your coins is as important as knowing how many to use. Instead of a general list of locations, a more effective approach is to place your coins based on your specific goals. This goal-oriented strategy ensures you are activating the correct energy in the right area of your life.
For Attracting Wealth
If your main goal is to increase income, savings, and financial opportunities, focus on these key wealth-activating placements.
- The Wealth Corner: In feng shui, the Southeast sector of your home, office, or individual room is your primary Wealth Corner (the Xun position on the Bagua map). Placing a string of three, five, or eight coins here is a classic method to stimulate financial growth.
- Your Wallet or Purse: Carry three coins tied with a red ribbon inside your wallet or purse. This ensures you carry wealth-attracting energy with you, influencing every financial transaction.
- On Account Books or Cash Registers: For business owners, taping a string of three coins to your cash register, invoice book, or accounting software computer enhances business income and ensures a healthy cash flow.
- On Your Phone: In our modern world, the phone is a primary tool for commerce and communication. Attaching a small string of three coins or even a single coin to the back of your phone can help attract opportunities through this device.
For Enhancing Career
To boost your career, gain recognition, or achieve success in your professional life, place coins in areas related to work and reputation.
- The Main Entrance: Hang a string of five, six, or eight coins on the inside of your front door handle. This is one of the most powerful placements, as the door is the "Mouth of Qi," and this cure invites wealth and opportunity to enter your space every time the door is opened.
- Your Desk or Workspace: Position coins to energize your work. Place them in the North sector of your desk (the career area), tape them under your computer keyboard, or hang them on the wall behind your chair for support.
- On Important Files: To energize specific projects, tie a string of three coins to active client files, investment portfolios, or important proposals to attract a successful outcome.
For Protection and Safety
Coins are also powerful protective charms, used to deflect negative energy (Sha Qi) and ensure safety.
- Above Doorways and Windows: A string of five or six coins hung discreetly above a door or window can neutralize negative energy that may be entering your space from outside.
- In the Car: Hang a string of three or five coins from your rearview mirror to promote safety and protection during travel. As an added layer of security, we often advise clients to choose a set that includes a Wu Lou (gourd) charm. The Wu Lou is a powerful symbol of health and longevity, and its presence adds an important layer of health and safety protection on the road.
Activation, Cleansing, and Care
Like any energetic tool, feng shui coins must be properly prepared and maintained to be effective. Before you use them, they should be cleansed of any previous energies they may have accumulated. After cleansing, you must activate them with your personal intention.
The Cleansing Ritual
Cleansing is an important first step to ensure your coins are energetically "new" and ready to work for you. The process is simple and ritualistic.
- Prepare a bowl of clean water. Spring water is ideal, but tap water is sufficient. Mix in a pinch of sea salt, a powerful purifying agent.
- Submerge your coins completely in the saltwater solution. Let them soak for at least one hour, though a full 24-hour period is even better.
- After soaking, remove the coins and rinse them thoroughly under fresh, running water to wash away the salt and any lingering negative energy.
- Place the clean coins outside to dry in the sunlight for several hours. The powerful Yang energy of the sun is a natural and powerful cleanser and activator that will charge the coins with positive force.
Setting Your Intention
Activation is the process of programming the coins with your specific goal. This personalizes the cure and focuses its energy on your desired outcome. After the coins are cleansed and dry, hold them in your hands. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Clearly visualize your goal as if it has already been achieved. Whether you desire financial stability, a promotion, or new business opportunities, feel the positive emotions associated with that success. This mental and emotional energy is now imprinted onto the coins. They are now activated and ready to be placed.
Ongoing Care
Once placed, your coins will work continuously. To keep them energetically powerful, dust them regularly to prevent stagnation. It is a good practice to re-cleanse and re-activate your coins annually, ideally around the Chinese New Year. This refreshes their energy and allows you to update your intentions for the year ahead.
A Buyer's Guide
The market is flooded with Chinese coins, ranging from genuine antiques to cheap, mass-produced trinkets. Knowing what to look for is essential to ensure you are purchasing an effective feng shui tool, not just a decorative item. For most feng shui applications, a high-quality replica is the best choice.
Antique vs. Replica vs. Charm
Antiques carry the energy of their previous owners, which can be unknown and not always positive. Mass-produced charms are often made from cheap materials with incorrect details, rendering them energetically weak. High-quality replicas offer the perfect balance: they are made with correct symbolism and are energetically neutral, ready to be programmed with your specific intention.
| Feature | Genuine Antique | High-Quality Replica | Mass-Produced Charm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Bronze or brass; shows age and patina | Often made of brass or copper | Thin, cheap alloys; very lightweight |
| Characters | Clear, but may show significant wear | Crisp, accurate, well-defined characters | Often blurry, incorrect, or stylized |
| Energy | Carries old, unknown historical energy | Energetically "new" and ready for you | Weak or neutral energy; ineffective |
| Best For | Collectors, advanced practitioners | Most feng shui applications | Decorative purposes only |
| Cost | High | Moderate | Low |
What to Look For
When you are ready to purchase your coins, keep these two key factors in mind:
- Material: Look for coins made from brass or copper. They should have a satisfying weight and feel substantial in your hand. Avoid flimsy, lightweight alloys that feel cheap.
- Clarity: Inspect the Chinese characters on the Yang side. They should be clear, distinct, and well-defined. Poorly molded or blurry characters are a sign of a low-quality product that will not be effective.
Common Mistakes and Guidance
While feng shui coins are a powerful and accessible tool, a few common mistakes can render them ineffective or even create negative effects. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you use them correctly and confidently.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Placing them in the wrong areas: Never place wealth enhancers like coins in a bathroom or kitchen. The draining energy of a bathroom can "flush" your wealth away, while the fire energy of a kitchen can "burn" it up.
- Using the wrong number: In Chinese numerology, the number four is generally avoided for lucky cures because its pronunciation ("Si") is a near-homophone for the word for death.
- Facing them the wrong way: This is a critical error. Always ensure the Yang side (with the four characters) is facing outwards or upwards to project its positive energy.
- Using broken or damaged coins: A broken coin represents broken or damaged energy. Always use coins that are whole and in good condition.
When to Seek a Pro
While these general guidelines are powerful for most situations, every home and office has a unique energy map (Bagua) and is subject to annual energy shifts described by Flying Star feng shui. Sometimes, a placement that seems good in theory can have unintended consequences if it clashes with other unseen elements in your space.
This is where a personalized approach becomes essential. For instance, at THE QI FLOW, when we conduct a full energy audit for a client, we don't just look at one cure in isolation. Our team helps clients by analyzing their specific architectural layout, their personal birth data (BaZi), and their life goals. This holistic analysis ensures that every feng shui tool, including these powerful coins, works in perfect harmony with the environment to resolve unique challenges and truly amplify positive Qi.
Embrace Abundance
You now have a complete understanding of chinese feng shui coins, from their rich history and symbolism to the practical steps for using them to manifest your goals. These coins are more than just currency; they are a tangible link to the universal principles of harmony and attraction.
By choosing the right coins, cleansing and activating them with clear intention, and placing them strategically, you are taking a proactive step toward co-creating a more prosperous, protected, and harmonious life. Embrace this ancient wisdom, and welcome the energy of abundance into your world.
